Freedom and Confidence

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain...and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
(Hebrews 10:19-23)

In the Old Testament times, priests had to go to the temple and make sacrifices for the sins of the people. A curtain seperated the people from God's presence for God could not be in the presence of sin. In God's great love and mercy, He made a way, through the cross for us to be reconciled with Him. Through faith in Jesus we would now be able to approach God with freedom and confidence. ( Eph 3:12) God longed to live among us. To shower us with His love and blessings. He who had no sin became sin for us so that we might be pure and clean and righteous in God's sight. Jesus sits at the Father's right hand as our great priest. He is our hope, our key that unlocks the door to enter into the Most Holy Place, the place where God dwells. Our faith gives us confidence and assurance. No longer does a curtain seperate us from divine love. No longer do we need to live in darkness! "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness.." (John 1:4-5) No longer do we need to be comformed to the world! (Romans 12:2) Reconciliation with God brings us the peace and freedom that we long for.

You are faithful, O God. You have provided a "new way" to enter into your Holy Kingdom. Your kingdom has come for those who trust in the finished work of Jesus. When Jesus breathed His last breath and gave up His Spirit, the curtian was torn. Your light flooded the temple and the doors were open for any who would desire freedom from this world. "Come all who are weary and I will give you rest.... When the world overwhelms us, from the Lord comes deliverance. When stress and anxiety stalk us, you lead us beside quiet waters that will restore our soul. You show us the wonder of your great love and hide us in the shadow of your wings from the enemies who desire to destroy us. When darkness looms around us, you shine your light in and upon us. Washed with your pure water, we are new creations created to walk in the light of your love. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful...We are forgiven, righteous and perfect in your sight. You shower us with grace, mercy and compassion. The veil has been torn. The door is open and the light of your face is shining upon us! Let us draw near to you, O God, with a heart full of assurance. We put our hope in your unfailing love.

"One you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation if you continue in your faith, establihed and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." (Colossians 1:23)

"such is a generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob." (Psalm 24:6)